Resurrection of a Doll

from a Pop-up Book

KRISTINE ONG MUSLIM

 

 

I rescue her as a paper doll from a pop-up book.

Her dollhouse stands flat underneath her feet.

Her hair is tied in a bun. She wants me to let

down her golden hair, etc. She has a penchant

for the dramatic, the borrowed lines from fairy tales.

Disease has clustered on her folds of cardboard skin.

For days, I keep the book closed, give her time

to fantasize about widths and fuller curves.

I know this resurrected girl

will be different from the rest.

She will be ungainly.

She will make me proud.